DISTANCE LEARNING IN PHYSICAL-EDUCATION TEACHER-EDUCATION

Advancing technology carries the promise of allowing rural and nontrad itional learners the opportunity to participate in higher education. S tudents who had no chance to attend classes 15 years ago are registeri ng for and completing college courses in record numbers, although they may never meet their instructors (Finkenberg, 1997; Price, 1996). At- home mothers, 9-to-5 workers, students in rural areas, individuals wit h disabilities, and even students on college campuses are taking advan tage of distance learning (DL). Many institutions of higher education are beginning to offer courses, and in some cases degree programs, thr ough interactive multimedia and Internet access. While these courses a nd programs are increasing in popularity, computer-based DL is not wit hout its critics. The literature on DL in physical education is sparse . This paper identifies positive and negative aspects of DL and applie s these concepts to the physical education profession.